RCC canceled classes Friday after receiving an email threat, which has since been determined to have been a hoax. [Mail Tribune file photo]

RCC email threat deemed a hoax

BY Local report...

Police say a threatening email that caused Rogue Community College to evacuate all campuses Friday was a hoax.

Rogue Community College campuses will reopen as scheduled at 8 a.m. Saturday, according to RCC spokesman Grant Walker.

The not-credible threat was an email that "stated they were a student at RCC and (were) going to bring a rifle to class," according to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. The email did not state which RCC campus the writer claimed to attend. The college has campuses in Jackson and Josephine counties.

Medford Deputy Chief Brett Johnson called the hoax disruptive and unfair to students.

"That really messes with people's schooling," Johnson said.

The campuses, in Grants Pass, downtown Medford and White City, were evacuated shortly after noon Friday.

"Out of an abundance of caution, RCC has ordered an evacuation of all campuses," the school said in a release Friday. "The campus will remain closed for the day and all people are asked to stay away from campus."

An email sent to an undisclosed recipient in Jackson County contained the name of the alleged writer, but when deputies contacted him, it was determined that his email account had been hacked. RCC officials said the name attached to the email did not match any student names.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Department said similar threatening emails were sent to numerous locations in Oregon, Colorado and Florida.